ELVIS PRESLEY - ALOHA FROM HAWAII (1973)

What do you get if you take one of the brightest performers in the world, performing in one of the most brightest countries in the world? Too Bright? No way. Especially when the performer in question is none other than Elvis Presley himself. As seen in this concert movie produced in 1973, which lasts for 85-minutes. Thank-ya-very-much.


Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii

THE STORY:

The date is January 14, 1973, and musician extraordinaire, Elvis Presley, plus some pals, hold a live satellite-linked concert, in the Honolulu International Centre, Hawaii, in the attempt to raise some money for charity.

Now this gala extravaganza is lavished with song after song after song, complemented by enhanced video transitions, mood lighting, plus the baying crowds yearning Elvis to sing-sing-sing.

What now follows is the 'Aloha from Hawaii' song list:

• Sprach Zarathustra (introduction)
• See See Rider
• Burning Love
• Something
• You Gave Me A Mountain
• Steamroller Blues
• My Way
• Love Me
• Johnny B' Goode
• It's Over
• Blue Suede Shoes
• I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
• I Can-t Stop Loving You
• Hound Dog
• What Now My Love
• Fever
• Welcome To My World
• Suspicious Minds

At this stage in Elvis' performance, he takes a brief break and introduces his backing singers (The Sweet Inspirations, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, plus Kathy Westmoreland), his band (The TCB Band), Joe Guercio and his Orchestra, plus his stage-hand / harmonist, Charlie Hodge. Before continuing with...

• I'll Remember You
• Long Tall Sally / Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
• An American Trilogy
• A Big Hunk O- Love
• Can't Help Falling In Love

After the live concert is over, Elvis and his crew record the following songs to be inserted into the show - Blue Hawaii, Ku-U-I-Po, No More, Hawaiian Wedding Song, and Early Morning Rain.

Thank you very much. Elvis has left the building.

THE REVIEW:

Gag Gaga. Button it Bieber. And do whatever the f*ck you want with Kanye West. Because 'The King' is in the house, Elvis Presley, in this fantastic concert show which makes history with many a song and a fetching set of sideburns. Honestly, Elvis is on top form in this live musical extravaganza, singing his blooming heart out like no one else can.

And do you know why I say this? Well, if you have watched any of those so-called 'talent shows', and heard a 'judge' say to some wannabe performer "You need to connect with your song. You need to make us believe that what you are singing comes directly from your very soul". Elvis does this in spaces in 'Elvis Presley - Aloha from Hawaii'. You believe that he wants Johnny to be good. You believe that he wants to express his passion to you in a tender fashion. You believe that he has a high temperature due to his profuse love making. And you believe that that he does not want you to step on his suede-ed blue foot-wear.

Oh! And while I am on the subject of apparel and appearance, did you know that Elvis modeled his appearance for this show (you know, the cape and all that jazz), on the comic book hero, Captain Marvel? OK, the quiff came from Captain Marvel Junior, but the rest of it was the 'Big Red Cheese' himself. Here, check out  some of these other facts that you might also be interested in: (1) Elvis earned a black belt in karate. (2) Elvis's last album to reach #1 when he was alive; was the double LP soundtrack of this special. (3) The autopsy performed on Elvis's dead body, detected ten different types of drugs in his bloodstream. (4) This performance was seen by a billion people worldwide due to the satellite link-up. Plus it was estimated that fifty percent of America saw it live on television too. (5) It is alleged that Elvis was offered the roles in the following films, 'Midnight Cowboy', 'True Grit', 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', 'A Star Is Born', and 'Grease'. (6) This was the only film that Elvis Presley ever produced. (7) Elvis made the first ever musical video in 1957, 'Jailhouse Rock' [click here for review]. (8) All the profit for this concert went to Kui Lee cancer foundation. Even Elvis paid for his own $1,000 admission fee. (9) Elvis had a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter. And (10) When he died, Elvis had about $5 million in his bank account.

Hey, have you taken note of point '8' in my trivia splurge? Relating to Elvis' generosity? If you have, did you know that on his last day on this planet, August 15th, 1977, that Elvis tried to get a print for his daughter, Lisa, of the film 'Star Wars - Episode 4'? True story. Just as true and as generous as he was to the audience who watched him perform live in 'Elvis Presley - Aloha from Hawaii'.

My own personal favorite segments to this program; apart from the songs that is, was the way in which Elvis' fans kept on trying to put garlands around his neck whilst stealing a kiss from him in the process. Or in turn, how he kept on wiping his own sweaty brow with a handkerchief, and then handing them his fret in flannelled form. At one point in the show, I sincerely though one of these pretty ladies would jump up onto the stage and try to shag him!

My God. Elvis. A man that makes other men grateful to have a dick. He is a legend. I can not say fairer then that really. Moreover, I can not explain to you how 'hot' I feel about this show. Though maybe Elvis can?

What a guy! Long live the King. And may his memory live on in this well presented and lavish movie, which is beautiful to see, wonderful to hear, and a marvel to join in with. It's my Karaoke master class.

THE RATING: A